Enriching faith and family

Epiphany House Blessing

Having just celebrated the New Year and the Feast of the Epiphany last week, I thought it would be perfect timing to tell you about a family tradition in our house.

When I was a child, we lived in Germany and one of their traditions around the time of the Feast of the Epiphany was to bless the house. Sometimes neighbors would visit to give this blessing. Although I don’t remember much of the words of the blessing from my childhood, I knew that it involved taking a piece of chalk and writing on the wood above the front door. The letters “C M B” were written, meaning both the names of the three kings – Caspar, Melchior and Balthazar – and also the prayer – Christ May Bless. Also, the numbers of the New Year were written with the prayer that the family and home would be blessed for the upcoming year.

For example, the door frame for this year reads:

20 + C + M + B + 16

Now years after my childhood, we still give this blessing to our house and all those within.

To make the home blessing a bit more meaningful, we are going to include the following blessing this year, which also involves holy water.

The family and friends gather at the front door for the following blessing.

Leader: In the (+) name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

We sign this doorway with four crosses and the numerals of the new year – 20 + C + M + B + 16

Let us pray: May Christ bless this house.

All: Amen

Each room of the house is sprinkled with holy water.

Living room:

Where two or three are gathered in your name, Lord, you are present.

Bless this room, O Lord.

All: Amen!

Kitchen:

Give us this day our daily bread.

Bless this room, O Lord.

All: Amen!

Dining room:

Prepare us for the heavenly banquet.

Bless this room, O Lord.

All: Amen!

Bedrooms:

Stay with us Lord, when night has come.

Bless this room, O Lord.

All: Amen!

Bathroom:

Cleanse us from all sin.

Bless this room, O Lord.

All: Amen!

All return to the front door to pray together.

Let us pray as Jesus taught us:

Our Father…

The leader sprinkles all present with holy water.

Bless this household through all days to come. Father, Son and Holy Spirit, forever and ever.